Читать книгу Above and Beyond - J.S. Dorian - Страница 71

“Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.”

DANIEL FRANçOIS ESPRIT AUBER

“It’s tough getting old, isn’t it?” That’s what we hear, all too often, when we get into a conversation with someone about our illness. Whether we are twenty-seven or seventy-two, we usually respond by smiling and agreeing. And for the moment that seems to take the focus off us and put the matter to rest.

For most of us, there is little purpose in challenging such a remark. Whether such a remark is tossed out blithely (as it usually is) or taken seriously, what really matters is our own beliefs about illness and age.

Although some illnesses are age-related, many are not. In my case, I see illness and age as entirely separate issues, and I refuse to let illness “make me” act, think, or feel old.

Moreover, I’m not about to start “acting my age” just because I’m ill, nor will I allow my age to set me apart from others, younger or older. Illness notwithstanding, I believe that age has more to do with attitude and inner spirit than numbers, actuarial or otherwise. In short, I’m as young or as old as I choose to be.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The substance and quality of my life have very little to do with the year of my birth.